Rey Vargas won a world title in a second weight division tonight, beating Mark Magsayo by split decision in San Antonio to take the WBC featherweight belt.
Official scores were 115-112 twice for Vargas, and a card of 114-113 for Magsayo. Both of Bad Left Hook’s unofficial cards were 115-112 in favor of Vargas.
Vargas (36-0, 22 KO) definitely didn’t have the relatively easy fight we’ve seen him have in past 122 lb title defenses, with Magsayo (24-1, 16 KO) making him work plenty to earn the decision.
But Magsayo also did have a tough time with Vargas’ length and movement, even if Vargas was sitting down on punches and engaging more than we’ve also often seen in the past. On paper, this would have given Magsayo a better chance, and it may have been the biggest thing keeping him alive through the end of the fight.
Magsayo did score a knockdown in round nine, a clean right hand shot that Vargas walked onto throwing a punch of his own, which he’d done a few times. But Magsayo, who usually jabs well, didn’t or couldn’t use that punch nearly as much as he generally prefers, and there were rounds where Vargas just clearly had his way, and built up some good momentum in the third through eighth rounds especially.
Magsayo did seem to have a decent shot late, too, but may have dropped the 11th and 12th rounds to seal the win for Vargas.
“This is my second world title, this one’s going back to Mexico,” Vargas said after the fight. He admitted Magsayo “got him” with the knockdown, but said, “I was in control the whole fight (other than that), he got me there and I lost a little control.”
Asked about what he’ll do next, Vargas replied, “Either a unification or Leo Santa Cruz.” Santa Cruz would be a unification, as Santa Cruz still laughably holds the WBA featherweight title. He will have a WBC order to fight Brandon Figueroa at some point, too.
“It was his day, he was the man of today. I’ll come back stronger. I’m a bit disappointed, but I did my best,” Magsayo said. “He did his job in the ring, running, so that’s OK. He was taller and he’s the man today.”
Vargas came over to congratulate Magsayo and trainer Freddie Roach, and Magsayo said he’ll watch the fight back and get back in the gym to come back.
